Random thoughts from the mind, about whatever interests me at the time.

Study Reveals Conspiracy Theorists Are More Rational

Conspiracy theorists are often referred
to as crazy "cranks," or "crackpots," and the more outlandish their
theories the more rigorously they are derided. The truth can often be
stranger than fiction, however, so the pursuit of the truth should be a
laudable endeavor and not something to be ridiculed or scoffed at.

Consequently, it comes as no surprise that a recent study has identified
conspiracy theorists as being more sane than their conventionalist
counterparts.

Those who always accept the official version of events without question
are less likely to be of sound judgement, while those labeled as
conspiracy theorists appear to possess more clarity and presence of
mind.

The study, entitled "What About Building 7?" and conducted by
psychologists Michael J. Wood and Karen M. Douglas of the University of
Kent in the U.K., was published last July, and compared the comments of
those with pro-conspiracy views against those who subscribed to
conventional explanations . A total of 2174 comments were reviewed, with
1459 originating from conspiracy theorists and a mere 715 from those
adopting a conformist stance. The comments reviewed were sourced online
from news websites, and the ratio between the two factions illustrated
that the conspiracists outnumbered the conventionalists by two to one.

The researchers noted that the most hostile comments originated from the
conventionalists, who seemed to be far more intolerant of opposing
viewpoints. It was hypothesised that those who held conservative beliefs
were more defensive as they perceived themselves to be a small minority
group. They became almost fanatical about their convictions, whereas
the pro-conspiracists were more flexible and open-minded. Their primary
objective was not to press their own version of events, but just to
undermine the official explanation which they did not feel was a true
representation of the facts.

The study concluded that it was the conformists who behaved in a manner
more consistent with the perceived stereotype of the "conspiracy
theorist," that is, a person who behaves in a fanatical, hostile,
defensive manner, who is obsessed with their own opinions and who is
unwilling to consider or accept any alternative explanations. Continue reading